It’s been quite a while since Denver Broncos fans have been able to celebrate a victory like this.

The Broncos pummeled the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night, winning 45-10. It was the defense that was the driving factor.

Fans and analysts can downplay this performance by saying that it was just the Cardinals, but this is still professional football and the Broncos went into their stadium and made a statement.

They did that by putting forth a defensive effort the likes of which the Super Bowl 50 defense would be proud of.

Von Miller, who made some strong statements to the media earlier in the week, backed those words up by manhandling the Cardinals, punishing rookie quarterback Josh Rosen along the way. It was very reminiscent of the game he had in that Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton.

Rosen threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles on the night. He had another ball knocked out of his hands but was able to recover that one. Additionally, the Broncos recorded six sacks; Miller had two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

On the second play of the game, Derek Wolfe tipped a pass right after it left Rosen’s hands and it ended up in the waiting arms of Todd Davis, who then maneuvered his way 20 yards for a touchdown. Late in the first quarter, Chris Harris also picked off a pass from Rosen and took it 53 yards for a touchdown.

It was the first time the Broncos returned two interceptions for a touchdown in one game since Sept. 10, 1989, against the Kansas City Chiefs. In that game, Tyrone Braxton and Randy Robbins each took a Steve DeBerg pass attempt to the house.

The Cardinals came into this game assuming they would be able to run the ball on the Broncos the same way the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams did in the last two weeks. That didn’t happen.

The Broncos did a tremendous job shutting down David Johnson and the Arizona attack, allowing just 69 yards on 21 carries on the night.

This was the kind of defensive performance that fans have missed. For all of the complaints about the coaching staff, the quarterback and the offense, it is the defense that sparks this team.

Miller’s play was infectious. Davis played what was probably his best game as a Bronco. Harris looked re-energized, and Bradley Roby had his best game of the season. Tackling was better, the hits were crisper.

Toward the end of the game, Bradley Chubb got a sack on Rosen and with less than three minutes left in the game, with the final result all but official, Isaac Yiadom laid into a Cardinals receiver after a catch.

It was the kind of effort from start to finish that this team hasn’t exhibited in quite some time. It was more than refreshing. It was something the team can absolutely build upon if it can keep this kind of intensity and focus throughout the season.

Miller backed up his tough talk and at least for a moment, the gloom-and-doom stories surrounding this team should dissipate.